MSc in Water and Sanitation for Development

Overview

Many people living in urban and rural areas of low and middle-income countries (LMIC) do not have access to safe water and sanitation service delivery. To achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), there is an urgent need to quadruple our current rate of global progress, which makes it necessary to build the relevant capacity to address this.

Our MSc in Water and Sanitation for Development will equip you with the skills and knowledge to deliver water supply and sanitation services around the world to protect public health and improve lives. It will enable you to develop a critical appreciation of the complexities that shape the sector and motivate you to make a real difference responding to it.

The MSc is delivered by our world leading experts and developed in partnership with a wide range of organisations and institutions from the water and sanitation sector. You will have the opportunity to conduct your thesis on a real-life project and benefit from professional development that will shape you into a leader equipped to solve global water and sanitation challenges.

Who is it for?

This course is ideal for graduates who wish to progress their career in the planning, implementation and management of sustainable water supply and sanitation projects to low- and middle-income countries. The course comprises assessed modules, group projects and an individual project. The modules include lectures, tutorials, practicals, simulations and workshops with an emphasis on analysis of real problems, with practical field work to reinforce learning.

Course structure

The Water and Sanitation for Development MSc is made up of three components: taught modules - MSc: 40%, PgDip: 66.6%, group project (dissertation for part-time students) - MSc: 20%, PgDip: 33.3%, individual project - MSc: 40%

Individual project

Students select the individual project in consultation with the thesis project coordinators. The individual project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine problems in water management. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations such as WaterAid, Oxfam and Excellent Development, and are based in low- and middle-income countries.

Group project

The group project provides students with the opportunity to take responsibility for a consultancy-type project while working under academic supervision. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities and working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets.

Future career

The Water and Sanitation for Development MSc is based on cutting-edge research, so you can be sure it is relevant in today’s employment market. Our graduates leave with the skills to make an immediate contribution in the international water sector. Many enjoy long-term careers in diverse roles such as consultants, managers, engineers, sanitation specialists and project managers at leading WASH institutions across the world.

Some of our graduates went on to work with non-governmental organisations, emergency relief agencies, government and UN and related agencies such as UNICEF. Graduates are also going on to work with global private sector organisations such as Mott MacDonald and McKinsey & Company.

The course also provides an ideal grounding for research positions and PhD programmes, and the part-time option allows practitioners to extend their professional development within their current employment.